Reference no: EM133319978

Betty, storage clerk and a long term employee at PineApple's customer service center in San Jose, California was called into the security office to speak with investigators about 15 missing i-pads from the storage room. It was suspected that the i-pads were stolen, that it must have been an "inside job" by workers in the department. Betty agreed to answer questions during her shift at work and volunteered to provide a sworn written statement. Betty entered the room and sat down with her back to the door and heard the door close and the lock engage. After a 45 minute interrogation the investigators and her boss were convinced that Betty had something to do with the missing i-pads but still had no reliable evidence of such, just a mere gut feeling and suspicion. Finally, after an additional 3 hours of questioning Betty signed the sworn written statement denying any involvement and was free to go back to her office. When she got home from work, Betty called her best -friend and co-worker Angie who had heard the rumors that the company was accusing Betty the storage clerk stole the i-pads. Everyone thought it was outrageous how Betty was treated and basically accused of stealing the i-pads. She recommended that Betty speak with her friend, attorney, Will Cheatham. After a conference with him, Mr Cheatham filed suit against PineApple claiming that Betty was falsely Imprisoned by overzealous investigators and boss of PineApple by holding Betty against her will for over three hours. PineApple claims that Betty presented herself voluntarily and was always free to leave. Betty argued that she felt that if she did not cooperate and tried to leave that she would have been fired.

1. Explain the rights and liabilities of the parties in this lawsuit. Present the best arguments for both sides Betty and PineApple.

2. Who will prevail? Use any case law that is relevant to resolve and support your position.